Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reports progress in US-Iran talks but warns no immediate agreement is reached.
Iranian Foreign Minister Speaks After US Talks
“I can say that compared to the previous round, we had very serious discussions and there was a constructive atmosphere during which we exchanged views,” Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, told media after participating in talks with US representatives. However, he cautioned that progress in the talks does not yet mean that an agreement between the United States and Iran on the nuclear program will soon be reached. He noted that this is only the beginning of negotiations.
General Agreement on Key Issues Reached
He also informed that both sides had reached a “general agreement on key issues” that will serve as a basis for beginning work on a document, according to the Turkish Anadolu Agency. Araghchi added that no date has been set yet for the next round of talks with the Americans. “It was agreed that both sides will continue to work on the text drafts of a potential agreement, after which they will exchange them and then a date for the third round will be set,” he explained.
Iran-American Talks in Geneva
Representatives of the United States and Iran met today, February 17, in Geneva. The head of the US delegation was Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy for the Middle East, and Jared Kushner, son-in-law and advisor to Donald Trump. The Iranian side was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. This was the second round of talks initiated on February 6 in Muscat, Oman’s capital. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi is also mediating the negotiations in Geneva.
United States Demands
The United States demands that Tehran end repression against Iranian protesters and allow independent inspectors to return to inspect Iran’s nuclear potential. At the same time, Americans are increasing their military presence in the region and threatening intervention if Tehran does not make concessions.
